Chinese emperor Xiao Yan names Xiao Tong his heir designate.

AD 502

Calendar year

Year 502 (DII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Avienus and Probus. The denomination 502 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became…

Emperor of China

Throughout Chinese history, "Emperor" was the superlative title held by the monarchs of imperial China's various dynasties. In traditional Chinese political theory, the emperor was the "Son of Heaven", an autocrat with the divine mandate to rule all under Heaven. Emperors were…

Emperor Wu of Liang

Emperor of Liang from 502 to 549

Emperor Wu of Liang, personal name Xiao Yan (蕭衍), courtesy name Shuda (叔達), childhood name Lian'er (練兒), was the founding emperor of the Chinese Liang dynasty, during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. His reign, until its end, was one of the most stable and prosperous…

Xiao Tong

Crown Prince of Liang Dynasty (501–531)

Xiao Tong, courtesy name Deshi (德施), formally Crown Prince Zhaoming, was a crown prince of the Chinese Liang dynasty, posthumously honored as Emperor Zhaoming (昭明皇帝). He was the oldest son and heir apparent of Emperor Wu of Liang, whom he predeceased. Xiao Tong's enduring legacy…

December 24

Day of the year

December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; seven days remain until the end of the year.